Question 6
RICHARD WRIGHT: Native Son
How are the Daltons portrayed in the novel?
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Observation
This was not a popular question. A good number of candidates who attempted this question failed to mention the fact that despite the kind nature of the Daltons, they are also exploiting the black race ignorantly.
Candidates were expected to mention the following points:
- The Daltons are a wealthy white family.
- Their relationship with blacks and their philanthropy.
- Their capitalist aversion to communism.
- Their blindness to their exploitation of black.
- Mary’s obstinacy.
- The Daltons as victims who suffer the effects of reaction.
Candidates’ performance was fair.